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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

One of the best bosses I ever had was also one of the worst. As a teenager I worked in the kitchen of a curling club. My boss was a renowned chef who once worked as
the official chef of the prime minister's residence. He was a fantastic cook and he taught me a great deal
about gourmet food including a few of his famous recipes - but he had a bad habit
of throwing pots. Not fits, pots. When things were going great he was nicest
boss in the world but if someone screwed up - like forgetting to garnish a
plate or cut a lobster tail correctly - he would grab a pot and toss it. Then
he would smile and carry on. So, it was only a problem for those who didn't
duck, no pun intended.

What kind of boss
do you have?

There are at least a dozen different kinds, according to Geoffrey James, author of "Business without the Bullsh*t: 49 Secrets to Shortcuts
You Need to Know" (Grand Central Publishing, $27) and just as many ways to get along with them. "Everyone
needs a field guide to identify which type of boss they've got and how to get
the most out of the experience," said James.

Shown here are a
few examples noted by James along with tips on how to get along with each of
them:

The Visionary

These bosses are
more concerned with the future than what might be happening her and now. They
manage by creating or hoping to create a group of team players who believe they
can accomplish the impossible.

A visionary boss
will provide incentives such as bonuses and while they can be fun to work for
they can also be intolerant, overly critical and sometimes throw tantrums when
they don't get their way.

If you're working
for a Visionary boss James recommends you drink the Kool-Aid. Work the long
hours and learn to repeat this mantra: "This product will change the
world."

The Climber

What can you do
for his or her career is what the climber boss wants to know? A Climber boss
spends a great deal of their time and effort working on strategies that will
win brownie points with his or her bosses, claim credit and build alliances. They are
most worried about their own career and see you only as a help or hindrance.

So, if you're working for a Climber be their helper or the person who has their back when another Climber tries to stab it.

The Bureaucrat

Everything is by
the book with this kind of boss. And since the book has already been written
and is working just fine -- they are most likely to resist change. The
bureaucrat boss usually thrives at a large corporation but tends to falter in
smaller firms because the lack of a crowd makes it too obvious when they really
aren't doing all that much said James.

If you're working
for a Bureaucrat get everything in writing and limit your activities to what
has been done in the past or ask before proceeding in a new direction. Since
Bureaucrat bosses can squelch your creativity find a way to work on projects
outside of the job.

The Propeller
Head

"When engineers
get into the management chain they bring a technology-oriented worldview with
them. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it does mean you'll be judged
almost entirely on your technical competence," said James. "The
Propeller Head boss prefers employees who are experts in some technical field -
the more obscure the better.

If you're working
for a Propeller Head become well-versed in nerdy pop culture references.

The Fogey

The Fogey boss is
someone who has been around when your business first got started but tends to
be out-of-touch with now. "Fogeys who are close to retirement are often
quite jovial and easy-going; those who must continue to work because they can't
afford to retire can be meaner than dyspeptic weasels," James warns.

"If you're
working for a Fogey, don't assume that every duffer is a doofus. Reassure your
boss that he's still relevant and then recruit him as a mentor."

The
Whippersnapper

Opposite of the
Fogey boss is the barely-out-of-college go-getter Whippersnapper boss assigned
to manage a group of seasoned employees. "Whippersnappers are energetic,
enthusiastic, but secretly afraid that nobody is taking them seriously," James
said.

"If you're
working for a Whippersnapper, respond enthusiastically to the energy (he or
she) brings to their job and never, ever remind them of their relative
inexperience," James said.

The Social
Director

They are the kind
of bosses who consider personal interactions in the workplace as important as
the work itself. If you're attending a lot of meetings or having to offer up
your opinion and idea on a lot of matters that might not concern you chances
are you're working for a Social Director.

If you are James
recommends building alliances and garnering support for your ideas or work before
letting the boss know what you have planned. Also, be the one who brings the
donuts to the meeting said James.

The Dictator

A lot of people
might cringe at a boss who uses the adage, my way or the highway" but
there are advantages. For one, they make decisions quickly and without
over-analyzing things. Having said that they can also be impervious to outside
opinion and stubborn when it comes to change. "When they fail, it's
usually on an epic scale," James said.

If you're working
for a Dictator boss just follow orders and hope for the best. James also
recommends having your resume ready in case the Dictator drives your
organization over a cliff.

The Lost Lamb

When one boss
leaves another person takes their place. In some cases this person is not
really a boss but somebody to hold the fort.

The Lost Lamp
proceeds as if nothing happen. All polices that were previously followed remain
in place and dread doing anything that might lead the herd astray or create
problems once they're pushed back into the ranks.

If you're working
for a Lost Lamb stick to the plan and do your job as you normally would without
forcing your manager to make any difficult decisions.

The Hero Boss

A Hero boss
prefers to coach others and has no problem with them getting all the credit.
They know their employees and they utilize their skills to achieve things that
make the entire company look good. "Heroes always give their teams credit
for the wins but take personal responsibility for the losses," James said.
These one-of-a-kind bosses still follow the old adage "the buck stops
here."

If you're working
for a Hero boss take notes so you can be this kind of boss. Also, enjoy the
time you have with this boss because chances are he or she will be promoted
upward or be recruited to work elsewhere.

Friday, January 2, 2015

A student at Hudsonville High School displays her one word resolution (photo courtesy of getoneword.com).

New Year’s resolutions could become a thing of the past.

That
is, if the 88 percent of Americans who failed to achieve their goals in 2014 find a better approach for 2015.

“This year, choose a single word that will give mean,
focus, and purpose to your life,” said Dan Britton, coauthor along with Jimmy
Page and Jon Gordon of the popular self-help book, “One Word That Will Change
Your Life,” ($20, Wiley/getoneword.com). “No matter how busy or stressed you
are, or how many distractions and obligations are fighting for your attention,
it’s easy to remember one word. Believe it or not one word has the power to
impact your life so much more than a laundry list of resolutions.”

The three authors have been practicing the “one word” strategy for almost 20
years and as motivational speakers have shared their process with numerous
audiences, companies, professional sports teams and schools with great success.
A visit to their website reveals numerous photos of sports teams and students
expressing their one word resolution and success stories.

“Your one word represents the essence of what you want to
accomplish during the year, but instead of burdening you with a list of tasks
to do, it keeps you focused on an overarching concept of how to be,” said Jon
Gordon. “No matter what slings and arrows life throws your way, your one word
can endure and adapt.”

Gordon’s one word for 2014 for example was “serve.”

“(This) inspired him to approach his work and family with
a servant’s heart and to put others’ needs before his own,” explained Britton. “And
mine was ‘one.’ Unfortunately, leaders often focus on how many they are
impacting instead of on how they are impacting each individual. My word
reminded me that great leaders, care about each person and invest in one
relationship at a time.”

A Hudsonville High School student (getoneword.com).

So what one word will you choose?

As Britton explained the key to picking the right word is
to make time for reflection, introspection, meditation and prayer when
considering what you want your one word to be. “Think about the positive
changes you’d like to see in your life, bad habits you’d like to break, and
goals you have for yourself. Look inward and ask important questions like, ‘What
do I need? What do I want?’ Then see if any common values or themes or specific
words bubble up.”

The authors also suggest listening to your intuition when
picking your one word for 2015.

Sometimes we tend to overthink things. While it’s a
serious commitment the point is not to make your “one word” impressive or
extraordinary but rather influential and impactful for you.

“A few years ago, I absolutely couldn’t decide whether I
wanted my one word to be ‘surrender' or 'enjoy'” said Gordon. “While jumping
into the ocean on New Year’s Day, which I do every year, I felt a sharp pain in
my knee and had trouble walking out of the surf. I thought to myself, not a
great way to start the year – maybe I’m pushing myself too hard. As I reached
the shore, I heard the word ‘surrender’ loud and clear. My intuition had spoken
and I listened. I knew it was my word.

It’s also important to figure out what your one word
looks like in real life. Think beyond the word’s obvious definition and what it
might look like when applied to your life.

“While you may have intended your one word to apply to
a specific area of your life, chances are, its sphere of positive influence is
much wider,” explained Page. “For example if your one word is invest, it
might prompt you not only to be a good steward of your money but to invest more
emotional capital in your family and to invest some time in your professional
growth.”

Your one word should be visible on a daily basis. Consider
posting your one word on the refrigerator or a bedroom mirror. Your reminder
could be as simple as a sticky note or as elaborate as a decorative poster.

“Over the years, my coauthors and I have seen people get
really creative with depicting their one words,” said Britton. “Some people have
depicted their word in jewelry. We know of corporate teams who each write their
word on wooden spoons that they take back to their desks. And every New Year’s
Eve, my family and I paint our words on small canvases and hang them on a wall
of our home.”

A collection of one word examples from Hidden Lakes Elementary (photo courtesy getoneword.com).

Encourage others to join you.

“Imagine the impact if everyone in your family or team
helped each other live their words,” Gordon said. “My wife, son, daughter and I
share our words with each other every year. It’s inspiring to see the word
everyone chooses and how it shapes their lives throughout the year.”

It’s not necessary but keeping a record or journal of
your one word progress can be a great way to reflect back a few years from
now.

“At the end of the year it’s helpful to perform a one
word review,” notes Page. “Consider the past 365 days and ask yourself, ‘How
has my life changed because of my one word? What lessons did it teach me this
year? What blessings did it bring to my life?’ Even though I’ve been living the
one word process for almost two decades, I’m always surprised by how much my
word has impacted my life when I look back on the previous year. And it’s nice
to have a record of how my words have helped me grow, achieve and learn.”

“One Word That Will Change Your Life, Expanded Edition”
authors Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and Jon Gordon offer the following list of
potential “one words” to inspire you in 2015:

Monday, December 8, 2014

Hellooo! Arts Academy in the Woods and any other school with a musical program, choirs, choral companies, musical theater groups and others with
a passion for singing.

Disney is inviting all of you to enter its online musical contest, “Sing
Your Way Into the Woods.”

The contest kicks off Dec. 5.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Just in time for Disney’s
promotion of, “Into the Woods,” opening in theaters Dec. 25.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The modern twist on several beloved fairy tales, “Into The
Woods,” is a musical inspired by several beloved fairy tales and characters
including Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) and her prince (Chris Pine), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford),
Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone) and Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mausy).

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

All
of the characters and fables are intertwined into a story involving a baker and his wife, played by James
Corden and Emily Blunt who wish to begin a family and their interaction with a
witch who has cursed them. Meryl Streep stars as the witch in this humorous and
heartfelt film directed by Rob Marshall. The film is based on the musical stage
production by Tony, Grammy and Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen
Soundheim and Tony winner James Lapine, both of whom will be judging the
contest.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Participants who wish to enter are encouraged to watch the
movie trailer at Sing Your Way Into the Woods Contest for inspiration. Then gather your
team, download the official music and lyrics to the “Into the Woods” Prologue
and then record your own version of the last two-minutes of the song. Rules,
guidelines and regulations are posted on the site.

The contest runs from 2 p.m., Dec. 5 through 2 p.m., Dec.
12. The winner (s) chosen and announced on the site on or around Dec. 19 will
receive a private advance screening of the film and the winning video and those
of the three runner-ups will be featured on the film’s official Tumblr site.

How about it Michigan? Show them you have what it takes to “Sing
Your Way Into the Woods!”

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

They can survive on their own. Still, Michigan winters
are tough on birds and at this time of year they will be looking for reliable
sources of food, water and shelter. So, if you’ve ever thought about expanding your
hobbies to include birding, now would be a good time.

“I’ve always liked nature, trees, flowers, animals, bird,
I enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells,” said Pam Gors, co-owner of the
newly opened Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop on Hall Road in Macomb Township. “I’m a Master Gardener and I love growing
anything that benefits the three-Bs: birds, butterflies and bees.” That’s how
and why her garden grows, to fulfill a purpose either as food or shelter for at
least one of them. Among the plants that fit the criteria: three different
varieties of milkweed for monarchs; an assortment of shrubs and trees that produce
fruit preferred by birds; and lots and lots of flowers for the bees and hummingbirds.

This passion is one of the reasons Pam was keen on
becoming a Wild Birds franchise owner. For her husband and co-owner Bob, it was
not so much his love for birds but a yearning to be his own boss that prompted
his move. “After 35 years, I was just tired of the corporate business world,”
said Bob, who quit his job in information technology to man the store during
the week. On weekends it is Pam, who is still working full time as an IT person
who manages the store.

“I grew up in the grocery store business and I have the
retail background,” said Bob. “With her
love of birds and my business experience this just seemed like a natural
progression for us. We also have 2 acres that attract what seems like hundreds
of birds.”
Not only because of the property but because of the amenities that it offers
including everything from bird feeders and houses to bird fountains – which is
often the last thing people think about over winter.

“Bird baths are really important,” Bob said. “People
think birds can eat the snow during the winter but a source of water is not the
only reason for the fountains. They also bathe in the water to clean their
feathers. The cleaner the feathers the better job they do in insulating the
bird from the cold.”

People also need to provide shelter for the birds. In the
summer and through late fall there are places that shield birds from the
elements and their predators but once the leaves are gone it’s open season on
birds. Bob said something as simple as piling up twigs in the yard can provide
shelter for a small bird. Another thing Bob points out to beginner birders is
that birds can change color. “Some people think Gold finches leave in the
winter but they’re still here. They lose their gold color in the last summer
and early fall.”

Providing people with the most accurate information available on backyard birds
is just part of the mission statement created by Bob and Pam. They also hope to
provide enthusiasts with all of the products they might need. Whether it’s a
$15 starter kit or a $200 bird house with stand and $300 binoculars they’re
determined to make a go of the family’s new business.

“It was very scary at first to make such a huge change in
career direction but we couldn’t be happier with our choice,” said Pam, who
along with Bob encourages people to stop by the new store and check out their
holiday displays.

Tips for winter bird feeding

In case you happen to be among the more than 53 million
Americans who enjoy the hobby of backyard bird feeding here are a few tips for
the winter courtesy of Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop:

Provide high energy foods

·Birds will use more energy to keep warm so they
need more feed with high fat content

·Seeds that help provide the extra calories birds
need at this time of year includes: peanuts, thistle and seed blends high in
sunflower seeds.

·If you have visiting Juncos and native sparrow
consider using blends with some millet.

Provide a suet feeder

·A great source of high energy for birds is suet,
which is actually beef fat.

·Particularly fond of suet are woodpeckers,
Chickadees and Nuthatches.

Provide cover, shelter and roosting space for birds

·If you’ve got a nesting box clean it out and
prepare it for a winter stay or add another one to the yard.

·Brush piles created with tree limbs, twigs and
other debris provides birds with a place to escape the wind, snow and rain.

·Leave the plant skeletons in your yard or garden
as they provide the birds with natural food and a protective covering.